[The Akeldama Colosseum]For those about to die...[Solo]

[Ssafirsotibones]

10 Fall 506AV Bones had spent a time in Alvadas, wandering its streets, going were his feet and the ground took him. Which in this city was more literal than in others... Today he found himself before a great stone structure, which looked quite ancient. Walking up to it, he saw a great door of black iron grates. There stood an odd man, in a black top hat. He greeted Bones asking if he wanted entry. When Bones replied, that he did not know what the place was, he smiled and replied "This? It is The Akeldama Colosseum, the most wondrous place in all of Alvadas! For but a single gold miza, you can see amazing sights, bloody battles, and the most wondrous things!" Eying the sword on Bones' back, Shale smiled, stopping his sales speech for a moment. "Or perhaps, you would prefer to be a fighter? You would fight for the viewers, and I will pay you based on how you do... So?" Looking at the man, Bones darted out his tongue for a moment tasting at the air. He mulled his thoughts over, carefully deciding on what what he would do. He did not usually fight just to fight, however a bit of extra money would not hurt... Finally he settled slowly on a position. "Intriguing... I sssupossse I could try it out once... Lead on..." Following the man, Bones went along to were the combatants went before going out for the audience.

[Ssafirsotibones]

Walking along inside, Bones followed him to a secluded spot before turning and telling him to stop. "So, lets see it." When Bones gave him an odd innocent look, or at least tried to imitate what a human might look like doing so, Shale took on a more stern tone. "You know good and well what I mean. I know enough of animals to be able to tell a Dhani when I see one. So show me your form, I need to see what you can do before I let you fight." Looking around, Bones checked to see if there was anyone else there, and seeing he could not be detected, he disrobed, and set aside his gear. Standing in the nude, he then started his transformation to his dhani form. Shale smiled as he saw his transformation, as Bones grew a great long tale of a snake, along with the head and snout of one, though keeping his human torso. His silver scales glinted in the torchlight, with his black and blue pattern down his back. Shale looked at him, seeing his compact muscles, his powerful arms, and his great body strength. "Ah... you look quite big and strong... Not one of those ones from Taldera are you... And not one of the desert ones... They are both to small... You must be one of those constrictors from Falyndar right?" Smiling, it was obvious he was deep in thought. He was already forming ideas for how to sell this dhani for the paying viewers. "Excellent... Now you will stay in your dhani form, don't show your human part. You will be The Snake Man! A bloodthirsty dhani from the deep wilds far south of here. Come to kill and destroy, who fears nothing!" It was obvious the man was getting quite into the swing of things, and was not really giving Bones much of a choice. All he could do was nod, and give a weak "Okay..."

[Ssafirsotibones]

Now done with looking him over, he motioned Bones over to the gate. "Now, wait for me to announce you, and then come on out!" Walking off, Shale went out, with his voice roaring and projecting out over the viewers. "Now, you good paying folk. You have come to see action, you have come to see battle, you have come to see blood! Today we have an enrtant from the wild forests far South of here." "He has killed entire villages, swallowing them whole... He has terrorized the natives, there children afraid to go to bed at night! He has killed a countless many, the blood of which soaks the ground in his path... Now welcome... The Snake Man!!!" As directed, Bones came out as he was called. He appeared in his dhani form, the tail and head of a snake, with the torso and arms of a man. Strapped to his back was his gladius, ready to be pulled out and slice its prey in half... He threw his arms up in the air, tilting his head back, and letting out a long loud hiss. Many of the viewers applauded, and another many let out a small gasp or even yell of terror at the site of him. Finally, the match was ready to start, and a gate across the coliseum began to slowly rise. Out came a horde of vicious monsters, so hungry they were ready to tear anything to threads... They stood over three feet tall each, with large powerful hind legs, and vicious tearing fangs... A huge horde of... Dire Rabbits?

[Ssafirsotibones]

As Bones saw the gate rising, his blood truly got pumping. He darted his tongue out, tasting the scent of the rabbits on the air... Closing his eyes, he let out his senses, and could see the patch of heat signatures that made up the doorway through which they entered. Now his battle rage began to rise, and he flew bodily into the moment, ready to fight... tear... rip... KILL!!! Truly psyched up, he would throw himself fully into things, almost like a vicious animal would. Throwing back his head, he let out a vicious loud hiss of a roar, and began to move forward. Using his snakes tail, he would thrust himself forward, his tail undulating against the dirt ground below him. Reaching back behind himself, he grasped the bone hilt of his gladius, and silently pulled the blade out of his leather sheath. As he neared the first row of the rabbits, he let out another hiss, and raised his blade ready to strike. As they neared, he could hear the cheers of the crowd behind him, as anticipation built, and they began to cry out for blood. "Die!!!" He shouted, bringing his blade down in a swipe in front of him. It cleanly cut through the first two to near him, right through there spine, killing them instantly. Bringing his blade down in a second strike, he decapitated a third rabbit, sending blood spurting out through the air, drenching the dirt below them. Finally, the mass of huge rabbits reached him, two jumping through the air and landing feet first right in his chest. This knocked him back, slamming him down from there weight, but he was not out yet! Landing, yet another rabbit landed on his sword hand, knocking his gladius flying several feet, as the crowd let out a gasp of surprise and suspense...

[Ssafirsotibones]

Bones let out another hiss of fury, as he fought the mountain of rabbits all over him. Darting out his neck, he tore at the neck of one of the rabbits on his chest, letting out another spurt of blood, swallowing the gash of flesh he had pulled out. The crowd cheered as the blood flew, and as the rabbit fell dead, he pushed forward, throwing a few more rabbits off of him. Finally, he let a wave down his tail, getting rid of a few more. Now he was ready to fight, and he pushed himself upright, punching one of the rabbits in the face. He threw his tail out, wrapping it around one of the rabbits, slowly crushing it with its strength. In the meantime, he jumped on a small pile of the rabbits, using his body weight to pin them down. Now he had to get back his weapon, and he started to move along to were it had fell, though there were many rabbits in the way... It was not long before the rabbits caught up to him, one jumping and catching him in the side of the head, another kicking him in the ribs... Having crushed the one in his tail, he threw the dead carcass, were it collided with a pair of oncoming dire rabbits. Diving down, he caught up the gladius, and spun around, lopping apart the closest rabbit. By know he had done a decent bit of damage to the group of beasts, and the onslaught of them was starting to lessen. It seemed his mixed use of different combat skills were doing there job, in combination with his usual hardy dhani nature and skills. Snapping down his neck, he snatched up a rabbit head whole in his head, letting blood drip out for all of the viewers to see. Then once they saw what he had, he let out a short hiss, and swallowed the head down. After all, a good part of this was showmanship, and putting on a presentation of his viciousness. "Who else wantsss sssome!!!" He shouted out, thrusting his fist and bloody gladius into the air. Finally it seemed that the rabbits were retreating... Though the question was.... was that it?... or was there more?

[Ssafirsotibones]

Bones listened to a creaking sound a bit off, as another iron gate rose. It was still for a bit, and then suddenly a shape formed out of the darkness. First one hairy paw, then the rest of the body... A great big shaggy bear came out, with brown fur, and blood matted around his snout... He walked in with a low growl escaping his throat, as he neared Bones, trying to make himself look as big as was possible, a common bear tactic... Suddenly, it began to move all at once, sprinting forward on all fours. Bones kept low, keeping himself ready, like a pike preparing to dismount a rider.... Finally the two neared, and the bear dove at Bones throat, trying to go for a bite to his windpipe... But he was prepared, and as the bear neared, he thrust-ed with his tail, shooting himself forward into the bears exposed chest with both fists, followed by the rest of Bones body... Knocked onto its back, the bear tried to regain its footing, and to knock off Bones with its big powerful paw, but Bones had already moved. Twisting as only a snake could, he used a bit of his wrestling skills, and got around behind the bear, while twisting his tail around its legs to tangle its movement. He thrust-ed both arms under the bears armpits, and then up around behind its head, were he clasped them together. While in this hold the bear had limited mobility, and could not use its head as much. However even a dhani with its strength could only hold out so long against the strength of a bear. He managed to sink his teeth into the neck of the bear, shredding the flesh there on one side with his bite, and making him bleed a bit, as the spectators hooted and shouted loudly. But then the bear shook him loose, enraged by the pain, and finally broke Bones' hold. Backhanding Bones with his paw, he knocked him off, were Bones rolled away, trying to get a bit of distance, as the bear raged. He was lucky it was only a backhand, as such a strike at full force might have seriously hurt Bones... If done properly... Now Bones just watched, waiting for its next move, with one hand holding the hilt of his gladius, ready for any sign of the bear getting ready to charge...

[Ssafirsotibones]

Bones did not even have time to pull the blade when the bear next moved. As it launched itself at him, Bones pulled himself low, to avoid the swipe of his paw. It was not a fast attack, but he could feel the air push by as it missed. Bones was lucky to be alive, the strike only missing his head by a few inches. If it had struck... He probably would have lost the top of his head... Not wanting to give him an opportunity, Bones took the initiative. As the bear over compensated and stopped its swing, Bones rammed his head into the gut of the bear, followed by a sweep of his powerful tail hitting the bears feet from behind. The bear toppled like a heavy stone pillar, sending up a small cloud of dust in its wake. Finally, wanting to end it, Bones laid down a strong punch, and struck the bear right in the nose with all of his might. The bear let out a loud grunt, as his eyes rolled back, and he passed out unconscious. Bones let out a haggard breath, finally able to rest, and feeling the muscles in his body unclench... Looking up, he checked to see the front row, to see what they were doing. Clutching at his blade, he waited for there response. Watching, he saw several hands go up, holding out there thumbs. Though he saw one little girl, sitting at the very forefront... Next to a big man who was shouting for him to kill it... As she peered out from behind her hands... Trying not to look.. But unable to look away.... Peeking every so often to look at the bear.... His choice was pretty clear... He put away his blade, and put his hands up, showing his victory. The big guy looked disappointed, he wanted to see the beast die... But the girl had a huge expression of relief go over her face... Slowly Bones walked back to the gate, leaving the unconscious bear behind him for someone else to drag off. It would live to fight another day. He was done with fighting for today. And he had a nasty nibble from a rabbit on his arm... Walking back up to Shale, he wondered how he had done. "So, how did I do? Was I good for my first try? I am not sure really what the standard pay for such is..." After a small exchange of words, and coin, Bones would go off on his way, his belly full of rabbit, and ready to take a rest at home.

[Fallacy]

XP Award! Name:Ssafirsotibones XP Award: Gladius- 1 Unarmed Combat- 3 Brawling- 3 Wrestling- 2 Lore: The Akeldama Colosseum Showing off for Shale The Snake Man High of Battle Fighting Dire Rabbits Being Disarmed Putting on a Show Fighting a Bear Sparing a life for a young girl Notes: First Job thread completed! Get 3 GM from Shale. He was disappointed that you did not kill the bear for the crowd and therefor deducted it from your pay. The crowd is all that matters not the feelings of one little girl. This was a great thread and Im glad that you decided to break in the Colosseum. It is a great example of what to do and Im glad that it was you that broke it in instead of someone else. You did Shales personality well, and overall it was great. Keep up the good work and I hope to see you do more here. Any questions or concerns about the rewards gained please send a PM